Went to my "gun pusher" today and picked up a NID 16 ga that I bought from a guy in GA over the internet. It's a New Ithaca Field Grade, made in 1940. Choked M/F, bores are mirror shiny, and bbls ring like church bells. Even has some faded case colors left on the outside of the frame, not just in hidden areas. The wood shows that it has been a "usin' gun", but no cracks, chips or splits. Looks like the stock was shortened and a Pachmayr pad put on, but it still fits me to a T, and the wood has a little nice figure to it. I'd like to find an all black pad, or maybe a Sunburst pad to put on it. Any ideas where to find one? All in all I LIKE it, and I already have a near identical 20 ga for it to snuggle up with in the safe.
This part may be of interest to Walt, Researcher, and possibly others.
Included was an envelope from Ithacagun, Ithaca NY. There is a 1977 letter to the Dad of the guy I bought it from. It informed him that they would look up the records for this particular gun for "a modest fee of $5.00" for the research. Then there is a letter from 1980 that says the gun sold for $60 in 1940, and in 1948, the last year Ithaca made doubles, this grade retailed for $140. This one was shipped to Lou J. Eppinger, Inc on 9/19, I assume 1940? There is a list of gunsmiths available during the 1980 time period, and a 4 page leaflet titled Ithaca Guns--A History of Tradition and Craftsmanship. If any of this is interesting to ya Walt, I can copy any or all of it and mail to you.
Merry Christmas to you all, Curtis
